It should be called The Bad News not The News.

I’ve been a media junkie for many years.  I have an insatiable appetite for news and information from a variety of mediums and it’s not unusual for me to multi-task my media consumption.

I surf my favourite sites in front of the TV or with the radio on in the background. I start each morning by quickly skimming the newspaper in between making breakfast, preparing bottles and getting myself and my kids ready for the day. I listen to the radio in my car and in my kitchen.

But like someone addicted to an illicit substance, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to balance my media appetite with the well being of my children.

Read the rest at Essential Baby here...

Comments

[Cath]

No brilliant solutions from me, just agreement in general. I'm finding the content of the news and current affairs so horrible right now, I need to screen it from myself - not just the kids!

Although I pretty much steer clear of the current affairs shows, (things are bad enough without them being sensationalised), I really think the news needs a classification! For example, I'd like to watch the human interest stories, and the fluffy stuff (dogs raising kittens etc. What's not to like about that?), actual news, some politics and sporting news, and important stuff like which celebrities have been hatched, matched, or dispatched. Stories of inspiration. 'Good' news.

But I'd like an actual warning, or specific timeslot for really distressing news - anything with the words pedophile, rape, bashing, murder, torture, disfigure, death in it. You get the picture. I would seriously turn that stuff off. I think you should be able to choose whether or not you're subjected to that content. You, and your kids, should be able to be informed about what's going on in the world without being vicariously traumatised by the news.

And if the news itself isn't bad enough, the ads are flat out graphic horror movies ('right here on my tv')! Especially the smoking ones. I know the message is important, but again, myself and all my kids (yes, I said 'all' - there are four of them!) gasp and cover our eyes when they come on without warning. I wouldn't let my kids watch CSI, so why should I have no control over them seeing this stuff during family oriented shows during family viewing times?

I actually think it's easier to screen internet content than ensure appropriate viewing of tv. At least you have some control.

That's my two cents worth, anyway. I'm glad this bothers someone else, it kind of makes me feel better! I'm off now to watch 'The Simpsons', (incorporating 'Lung Cancer Girl' and 'Speed Kills' ads), with my kids. Laugh. Scream. Laugh. Scream.

[Cerry]

Just a word about internet filters - a determined child with a few months experience on the net can get around them. I wouldn't count on the protecting your kids from anything, except for streamed media, which covers everything on youtube and the like.

I think the graphicness TV bothers a lot of people, not just you and Mia, Cath. Most people I know are pretty grossed out by the smoking ads (although, they're yet to top the one where they squeezed all the gunk out of the aorta of a smoker that was on about 10 years ago), and quite a few would rather not watch the news because it's so depressing/violent/disgusting. And yet, so many of them sat through Sweeny Todd, and quite enjoyed it...go figure

[Isabella]

Besides the Internet I am horrified by mobile phones - specifically the ability to forward photos or videos. Saw a terrible segment on the Today Show this morning about how teenagers are sending 'sextexts' - eg girls sending their boyfriends pictures of themselves in (I quote the child physcologist who was on) 'pornagraphic' images. I guess this is not new - I remember a few years ago the e-mails that went flying around the globe re: the girl who e-mailed her boyfriend some personal info and he 'gallantly' forwarded it to his mates. So I guess the technology has moved on to include photos/videos...and it seems the senders are getting younger!

[lu]

Recently I have had to turn the TV and radio in the car off more times than I can count. Things have all of a sudden become very very horrible. And very confusing and scary for children.

My 7 yo daughter asked me last night why someone would kill their children. Not a question I had ever thought about having to answer to my kids, but she came into the living room when the news was on so she heard all about it. All I could say was that some people are very sick and they do horrible things.

Another tricky one was trying to explain how a man could have a baby. I'm not getting into sex changes with a 7yo so I just told her its not really a man but a very boyish looking lady.

I think our house should become a magazine, TV and radio free house to keep my kids protected from all the crazies out there.

[K]

I agree with everyone. I find the radio medium one of the most difficult. I don't want my children hearing about lasting longer in the bedroom and penis'. The other one that I definitely turn off is that new song "I kissed a girl"... don't like me 5 yr old singing along with that one.

[gigdiary]

Thanks, Lu and K for the heads' up on the radio of today. Now I know how out-of-touch I am. Occasionally over the years I have thought I'm missing something by not tuning into 'a favourite station'. I used to, but stopped when the stations no longer played much to my taste. But I did miss that immediacy of contact, wherever I was, car, home, office, of hearing songs I liked, the latest hit and random DJ patter that was mildly entertaining.

I'm saddened, and horrified, to hear that something as innocuous as morning or afternoon radio needs to be shielded from kids. I understand how TV, not to mention all new media, now has this effect, but to think that radio also does, is a worrying indictment of our social climate. Why do parents have to be careful about what a radio station, in broad daylight, is playing as they drive their kids to or from school ? It beggars belief that the value challenged people running our media don't realise what they're doing and the harm that it is propagating.

On perhaps a more positive note, I have recently had the occasion to observe the attitudes of a group of sub-teens and teenagers. As a general rule, though they are totally aware of the current cultural climate, it is as if they aren't affected the same way someone over thirty would be. They seem to take it in their stride. They know no other world, whereas the older person remembers different times. I think another commenter's post on this blog stated it very well. From memory, she wrote that if the parenting influence is strong until about 13, those values will stay with the person for life, and consequently negate the crap media messages.

I reckon that's a wise and useful comment.

[Nicole]

I think it's the really young children that it's most worrying for. They don't have the ability to understand adult issues - nor should they have to. So when they walk into their lounge room and hear about a grandfather killing his wife and grandchildren, it's a little difficult to try to answer their questions. I try to explain in terms my 5 year old might be able to comprehend without being horrified:
(5)"what happened?"
(me)"a man was very naughty and the police had to take him away because he did something very bad"
(5)"what did he do to his grandkids?"
(me)"he hurt them"
(5)"did they die?"
(me)"I'm not sure, they took them to the hospital. But the police have the man now, so he can't hurt anyone else"
(5)"ok"

I hope he didn't think too much about it after the conversation. But you really can't know how they're digesting the information...

The radio is less horrific, but more sexualised. Our local station constantly plays adverts for men's products for premature ejaculation. The kids haven't asked me what that is yet - I'm trying to work out an answer and be prepared...

I don't think we can completely shield our children from being bombarded by everything that's horrible in the world. While they're still young (3 and 5) they are constantly asking questions. My aim is just to keep the lines of communication open and hopefully make them feel like there's nothing they can't ask me. I'd rather fumble through an embarrassing, slightly less accurate explanation, than have them feel scared or worried. I can't control censorship, so I can only try to be another source of information to them.

What else can we do?

Rosie might have a no-media policy in her home and at the kids school, but doesn't depriving someone of something make them more curious and want it more?

[Dreamqueen]

I'm a total media junkie as well Mia but only have me to look after so can't help with the balancing. Although I do need to cut down somewhere ... but how? I like to make sure I get all the news! I hate being ignorant of what's going on!